The Honorable [NAME AND ADDRESS]

Dear [Representative/Senator NAME]

As a member of the National Congress for Community Economic Development (NCCED), I am very concerned that the 2002 spending plan proposed by President Bush will seriously harm our efforts to create jobs and build homes in my community.  Overall, the President's budget plan would reduce or cut spending on community economic development programs by five percent in FY 2002. However, the spending framework that his plan would establish would require significantly larger cuts every year through FY 2012.

[Your Organization] opposes the President's FY 2002 Budget fundamentally because it will place an unfair burden on and force real cuts in programs and resources that help revitalize low-income communities by promoting access to capital and job creation.  The large and unfair tax cuts and the elimination of the estate tax on the wealthiest two percent of Americans will reduce discretionary spending needed for housing and job creation in our community. Specifically, we are concerned that the FY2002 budget will

1)     Eliminate programs that are accessed by community organizations for job creation and housing activities, such as the Assets for Independence Act, Rural Housing and Economic Development, Environmental Justice, Job Opportunity for Low Income Individuals, and Sustainable Development Challenge Grants;

2)      Undermine implementation of the recently enacted New Markets program by drastically cutting the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and New Markets Venture Capital Companies;

3)     Cut core CED programs such as the Community Development Block Grant and EDA;

4)     Decrease the development of affordable housing; and

5)     Unwisely eliminate resources used to promote economic development activities in rural communities nationwide.

The members of our community would like to meet with you during the upcoming Memorial Day Congressional Recess to discuss how the budget would impact our work here in the community.  We would also like to take you on a community tour to show you how federal programs are creating jobs and increasing the health of our area.   I will be contacting you shortly to arrange some time together.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

The Honorable [NAME AND ADDRESS]

Dear [Representative/Senator NAME]

As a member of the National Congress for Community Economic Development (NCCED), I am very concerned that the 2002 spending plan proposed by President Bush will seriously harm our efforts to create jobs and build homes in my community.  Overall, the President's budget plan would reduce or cut spending on community economic development programs by five percent in FY 2002. However, the spending framework that his plan would establish would require significantly larger cuts every year through FY 2012.

[Your Organization] opposes the President's FY 2002 Budget fundamentally because it will place an unfair burden on and force real cuts in programs and resources that help revitalize low-income communities by promoting access to capital and job creation.  The large and unfair tax cuts and the elimination of the estate tax on the wealthiest two percent of Americans will reduce discretionary spending needed for housing and job creation in our community. Specifically, we would urge that the Appropriations Committee oppose the following spending recommendations included in the FY2002 budget proposal:

1)     Eliminatation of programs that are accessed by community organizations for job creation and housing activities, such as the Assets for Independence Act, Rural Housing and Economic Development, Environmental Justice, Job Opportunity for Low Income Individuals, and Sustainable Development Challenge Grants;

2)      Drastic cuts to the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and New Markets Venture Capital Companies that would severely undermine implementation of the recently enacted New Markets program;

3)     Cuts to core CED programs such as the Community Development Block Grant and EDA;

4)     Decreasing the development of affordable housing; and

5)     Unwisely eliminating resources used to promote economic development activities in rural communities nationwide.

The members of our community would like to meet with you during the upcoming Memorial Day Congressional Recess to discuss how your work on the Appropriations Committee will impact our work here in the community.  We would also like to take you on a community tour to show you how federal programs are creating jobs and increasing the health of our area.   I will be contacting you shortly to arrange some time together.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]